First step: write an essay Second step: make a presentation of research with notes to speak Purpose: this assignment invites you to use the reading, writing, and critical thinking and researching skills discussed throughout this course to research and write about current approaches to a specific, contemporary issue relevant to your field of study at college. BE SPECIFIC. The topic must be focused on a specific issue, not a broad theme. Format: your assignment should contain a title page, a reference page, and at least a 3-paragraph research (3 is minimum, 5 paragraphs is maximum). Your paper should follow strict APA formatting guidelines. Sources: please choose 3 external sources for this assignment. You may write direct quotes, paraphrase, and summarize when using your sources, but all information taken from other sources must be cited using APA format. A research report MUST include APA in-text citations (author’s last name, year, page #) if you cite directly and (author's last name, year) if you paraphrase throughout the report. PLEASE INCLUDE 3 DIRECT CITATIONS IN YOUR PAPER. No more than one direct citation per end reference. Step-by-Step Instructions: Step 1: Narrow your topic from the provided list of potential themes. This is important. Think about something specific you have learned about in another course and want to explore further. Step 2: Research your topic using the source evaluation techniques discussed in the course (CRAAP). Researching can also help narrow your topic. Your research must include at least three articles from credible sources including the library databases. Please use our Mohawk library. • Demonstrate how your quote supports your argument (how it is relevant). • Only quote when necessary; paraphrase and summarize often. Step 3: Draft your thesis statement. The thesis statement is NOT the theme; instead it should argue something about theme that may be either prescriptive or reflective or both. For example, a thesis statement that builds on the theme ‘social media and business’, might read: “There are many types of social media, but Linkedin is most useful to the business student because it allows you to network, share articles of interest and search for employment.” (Note: the report is focused on a specific social media platform, NOT ‘social media is great’). Step 4: Outline your research report. You can use headings to organize the report, but you must use clear paragraph structure under each heading – you can use more than one paragraph under each heading. Headings are incomplete sentences that repeat the main point in the topic sentence of the paragraph. You are not required to use headings but student often find they help organize reports. Craft the topic sentences for your body paragraphs and make sure all of them build on your thesis statement but don’t repeat it. Ensure the topic sentences are ordered in a logical sequence to build toward your conclusion. Collect and organize the specific evidence you will use to support each topic sentence from your research. Add the reasoning and analysis – the connective tissue – that ties each piece of evidence back to the topic sentence. Save some last piece of evidence – a startling statistic, quote, or anecdote – for your conclusion. Step 5: Draft your essay. Review the notes on memorable opening and concluding paragraphs. Keep track of your use of research for citation purposes. Step 6: Revise and edit your report for grammatical, spelling, and mechanical errors. Does each of your paragraphs have unity, coherence, adequate development and a defined topic sentence? Is your language vivid, active, and appropriate to the topic? Step 7: Include an APA style references sheet. NOTE: A research report MUST include APA in-text citations (author’s last name, year, page #) throughout the report. If there are NO in-text citations indicating when information was taken from another source, the report is considered plagiarized and will receive 0. Absolutely NO BOT answers. Please choose one of the five (5) topic suggestions below. Topic Suggestions 1. The importance of technology on your field of study – Select a SPECIFIC technology to research such as a new software program specific to a profession; a virtual reality learning tool; an improvement to PLCs, or advanced Bluetooth technology as it applies to a specific industry. (Note: ‘technology is important to manufacturing’ is NOT specific) 2. Future opportunities for employment in your field – What specifically has changed in a specific industry? For example, cellphones have created the opportunity for TV Broadcasters to create their own channels; or virtual accounting offices in the 21st century; or pros and cons of the gig economy for recent college graduates in X field. 3. The impact of your profession on your community or society – What is one specific impact or benefit of your profession? For example, the recent pandemic revealed how vital Personal Support Workers (PSWs) are in nursing homes and in hospital settings or how Child and Youth Workers can help street kids with mental illness/addiction, etc. 4. The importance of literacy or communication skills in your field of study – Again, be specific. Research three ways that excellent public speaking skills benefit marketers, etc. 5. Specific industry environmental issues or concerns – Research ways your field of study can reduce negative impacts on the environment and/or global warming. For example, you could look at building construction materials made from recycled material or how mechanics can help reduce car emissions or safely dispose of hazardous fluids. Second part: Presentation of research Purpose: This Video task allows you to demonstrate your critical thinking and oral communication skills by submitting a video of yourself giving a presentation of your Research. You have multiple attempts to submit this video, but it MUST be submitted by the end of week 11, by 5 pm sharp. No late submission is accepted for credit/review. Task: Create a 3 minute video presentation of your research. Why did you choose this topic? How does it relate to you or your field of study/your specific interests? Please do not exceed our time limit. All of you have had experience with your Mid-term, so please follow the same recording steps. Assessment Tool: Presentation Rubric Introduction: start with a hook/attention getter to draw your audience in; state your controlling idea and your three main points Body: first Main Point (Include supporting details and specific examples); second Main Point (Include supporting details and specific examples); third Main Point ( Include supporting details and specific examples Conclusion: revisit controlling idea; sum up main points; close with a memorable statement